RENO, Nev. - Nevada Athletics will partner with the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yards for Teachers Week to honor and recognize the impact of educators in the Washoe County School District.

The annual eight-day celebration dedicated to honoring and recognizing great teachers ran Sept. 14-21, 2024. The Wolf Pack held its recognition at Sept. 21's football game against Eastern Washington.

"Our partnership with the Mountain West and its member institutions has been simply outstanding in our efforts to support teachers and celebrate their important roles with our children," said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. "We couldn't have the nationwide reach we have without our wonderful partners throughout the country."

This year Cold Springs Middle Schools was selected as the winner of the $5,000 donation. The funds were gifted to Ms. Smith and Ms. Schiwart, who oversee Cold Springs' music department, and will help repair and purchase instruments for both the band and orchestra to use. Overall, this will positively affect nearly 400 students.

"I would like to thank the Nevada Wolf Pack for its generous donation to our Music Program. Nevada's partnership with Cold Springs Middle School through the Extra Yard for Teachers' Celebration has allowed our music teachers, Ms. Schiwart and Ms. Smith, an opportunity to create a space for music at Cold Springs Middle School," said principal Mandie Sheridan. "Thank you also to the staff of the university Arts Program for believing in the ability to recreate our music program at Cold Springs Middle School, and for using your gift to allow our teachers to once again, bring music to the classrooms. Ms. Smith and Ms. Schiwart, we know that due to your endless hours and dedication, along with the many hours that you have spent in your classrooms, the impact on our children will result in an endless appreciation for music and a life-long impact of the arts."

Amanda Pippin, assistant principal at O'Brien Middle School, was selected as the recipient of the $1,000 donation for the continued build-up of student programming.

"The goal is to set up neat positive experiences with students," Pippin said. "For example, O'Brien's personalized hat station will be a ticket-by-invitation-only for students who show growth with the school's I-Ready program. When a student wins the ticket, they are invited to bring along a teacher to create a personalized hat and will get to wear it during school on official hat days. Building community and relationships is a big piece of our O'Brien family and this donation is going to go a long way to helping us continue that."

The continued partnership between the Wolf Pack and Washoe County School District has helped to connect students and teachers to the University of Nevada. The collaboration has helped the University assist schools in need and award teachers for their exemplary service to Washoe County School District.

Extra Yard for Teachers Week is a nationwide celebration of teachers, led by the CFP Foundation and uses the platform of college football to show appreciation for educators in communities across the country. Created in 2015, #ExtraYardWeek provides an opportunity for universities, coaches and student-athletes to take part in its mission of elevating the teaching profession by recognizing inspiring teachers at games, events and on social media. The Big Day for Teachers is the largest single day effort led by the CFP Foundation and in close partnership with sports, education and corporate partners to deliver resources and surprise teachers in schools across the country.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving as the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff and works in partnership with institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations and non-profits to support educators and improve student outcomes. The purpose of the CFP Foundation lies in supporting PK-12 education by elevating the teaching profession. The CFP Foundation inspires and empowers educators by focusing its work in four areas: recognition, resources, recruitment and retention, and professional development. To learn more, visit cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.